Jay Augspurger's Drums
St. Louis, Missouri, native Jay Augspurger grew up listening to anything and everything he could get his hands on. His taste for the diversified music knew no bounds at a very ealry age starting with the likes of jazz icons Miles Davis, Weather Report, Buddy Rich, Roy Hargrove, & Chick Corea, but not finding the end of the journey without Primus, Pantera, Lamb Of God, Rush and many other influential musical juggernauts.
Jay was first inspired and influenced toward percussion at the age of 10 by his neighbor Kelty Lufcy. “I remember going next door everyday to listen and observe his playing,” Augspurger said with reverence & fondness, “I would wait patiently for Kelty to finish in simple hopes to play for just an hour or so.” On November 13th, 1992, he received his first drum set for his 11th birthday and began to develop a rigorous practice routine almost immediately. By the time he reached middle school age, he began taking lessons and performing in the school jazz band. Jay continued his jazz studies throughout high school and also found a great affinity there for Latino music. Salsa grooves quickly became a newfound passion, which was instigated uner the direction of percussion-guru, Mark Ellison.
Along with the prominence of his jazz and salsa bands, Jay performed with the Missouri All-State Wind Ensemble and took several percussion solos to top levels in state competitions. The Twin Cities became colloquially known as home within a year of graduating high school. He find himself in the environment he desired at McNally-Smith College Of Music. Throughout his attendance of McNally-Smith College Of Music, Augspurger was able to network with a myriad of musicians around town and perform quite successfully regionally. One act of which, Sol Spectre, of which he spearheaded with classmate, Kevin Gastonguay, fast became known as one of the most experimental projects to be seen around Minneapolis or St. Paul. Currently,Jay Augspurger is performing regularly with P.B. & The Jam (also with Kevin Gastonguay) and several other groups around the surrounding area. Although Jay is incredibly busy with P.B. & The Jam, he still finds the time occasionally to sub-gigs for his teachers and other referrals, simply for the love of spreading music.
